Unit 10. Animals in danger

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ABOUT YOU

07 Watch the video and then answer the questions. How important are animals to you? Do you have any favourite animals? Which animals in Ukraine are in danger? Why?

Animals are very important to me because they maintain the ecological balance in nature and enrich our planet. My favourite animals are dogs and tigers because they are intelligent, loyal, and majestic. In Ukraine, animals such as the Eurasian lynx, the brown bear, and the European bison (wisent) are endangered mainly due to habitat loss, deforestation in the Carpathian region, and illegal hunting.

VOCABULARY

1 Look at the photos. Why do you think each animal is in danger? Which do you think is most in danger? Give your reasons.

The bluefin tuna (Photo A) is in danger because of overfishing driven by the high commercial demand for seafood. The tiger (Photo B) is threatened by illegal hunting, poaching, and the destruction of its natural forest habitat. The honey bee (Photo C) faces danger due to the heavy use of agricultural pesticides, climate change, and habitat loss. In my opinion, honey bees are in the greatest danger because their decline directly threatens global plant pollination and human food supplies.

2 Listen to three teenagers talking about three of the animals. What problems does each person mention?

• Daniel (Honey bees): The population of honey bees is declining rapidly. Without them pollinating crops and wildflowers, food production will decrease and food will become much more expensive for everyone.
• Ruth (Bluefin tuna): Bluefin tuna is heavily overfished because it is popular for sushi and other dishes, which threatens to permanently damage the natural balance of the ocean environment.
• Tommy (Tigers): Wild tigers are dying out due to human hunting and severe habitat loss caused by deforestation, which reduces the size of the jungle where they live.

3 Complete the sentences with the words in the box. Then listen again and check.

1 This problem is as serious as saving the rainforest. 2 The population of honey bees today is far lower than it used to be. 3 Bees and other insects help our crops to grow in the fields. 4 Some people say that the bluefin tuna is one of the tastiest living creatures in the sea. 5 Well, this large fish is also endangered, probably more so. 6 The balance of the ocean environment will be damaged forever. 7 This is all due to the actions of humans. 8 Besides hunting, tigers are facing another challenge. 9 The landscape where they live is changing, as more and more trees are cut down. 10 The areas of jungle are getting smaller. 11 Their habitat is decreasing all the time.

4 Work in groups. Decide which animal in the photos is the most important to humans. Can you all agree?

We decided that the honey bee is the most important animal to humans because it is essential for pollinating agricultural crops, fruits, and wildflowers. If bees disappear, crop yields will drop drastically, leading to serious food shortages around the world. We all agreed on this choice because human survival directly depends on plant pollination.

5 Discuss the questions.

1 How important is it to protect animals in the wild?

It is extremely important to protect wild animals because every species plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. If one species dies out, it can damage food chains and cause serious environmental problems for all living things, including humans.

2 What could you do to help?

I can help by reducing my use of single-use plastics, recycling materials, and choosing products that do not contribute to deforestation, such as sustainable palm oil. I can also support wildlife conservation charities and share information about endangered species with my friends.

3 Is enough being done to save the rainforest in your opinion?

Not enough is being done because vast areas of tropical rainforest are still being cut down every day for farming, mining, and timber. Governments need to enforce much stricter laws against illegal logging and protect the natural habitats of endangered animals more effectively.

READING

1 The photo shows the Sumatran orangutan. Read the fact file and answer the questions.

1 Where do Sumatran orangutans live and who with?

Sumatran orangutans live high up in the trees on the island of Sumatra. Male orangutans usually live on their own, while female orangutans live with their young.

2 Do orangutans feed at the same time as each other?

Yes, they do. They often eat together in groups where the main food sources are located.

3 Are the orangutans likely to become extinct in the future?

Yes, they are at serious risk because only seven out of nine species are likely to survive in the long term, and only three species currently have more than 1,000 individuals left.

2 Read the text about the Sumatran orangutan. For each question, choose the correct answer.

1 C (damaged) 2 A (limited) 3 B (decreasing) 4 D (keep) 5 A (discover) 6 B (transfer)

3 Match the highlighted words and phrases in the texts to the meanings.

1 the natural environment in which an animal usually lives — habitat 2 continue to live — survive 3 for a long time — the long term 4 from or in the hottest parts of the world — tropical 5 a natural environment where there are no humans — the wild

TALKING POINTS

What effect does our lifestyle have on animals in the wild? Does it matter if certain animals disappear forever? Why? / Why not?

Human lifestyle choices have a destructive impact on wildlife through deforestation, industrial pollution, overconsumption of resources, and greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. It matters a great deal if animals disappear forever because biodiversity is vital for the health of our planet; losing even one species can cause an ecological chain reaction and disrupt essential natural processes like pollination and water purification.

GRAMMAR

1 Look at the examples. Which tenses are used in each pair? Match each example to rule a or b.

In examples 1 and 2, the Present Simple tense is used in both the conditional clause and the main clause. These examples match rule a (zero conditional).

In examples 3 and 4, the Present Simple tense is used in the if-clause and will / won’t + infinitive is used in the main clause. These examples match rule b (first conditional).

2 Match the sentence halves. Which sentences use the first conditional?

1 – c (If there is better protection for tigers, their numbers will probably increase.) 2 – a (When people clear an area of jungle, they often use the land for farming.) 3 – d (If the area of Arctic ice gets smaller, there won’t be many polar bears left.) 4 – e (If an animal has a bad injury, it isn’t able to hunt for food.) 5 – b (When there is more tourism in an area, it has many benefits for local people.)

Sentences 1 and 3 use the first conditional.

3 Complete the second example in each pair of sentences so that it means the same as the first. What do the examples tell you about the meaning of unless?

1 If we don’t do more to help orangutans, they will disappear completely. 2 If we don’t protect the rainforests, many species will lose their habitat.

These examples show that the word unless means if not.

4 Complete the sentences with if or unless.

1 Polar bears won’t find enough to eat unless we do more to protect their environment. 2 If we don’t protect these animals now, they will die out. 3 Many birds will suffer if sea levels continue to rise. 4 Unless we control whale fishing, there’ll be no whales left soon.

5 Read the examples and the rule. Which example uses the second conditional?

Example 2 (If bees disappeared completely, we would all suffer.) uses the second conditional because it follows the structure if + past simple + would.

6 Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentences.

1 If you go on holiday with your parents, it’ll be fun! 2 If I were you, I would go with my friends. 3 If you went to the beach with your parents, you’d be bored. 4 If you agree, we can visit you on Monday. 5 If I had to move, I would move to the USA. 6 If I have enough money, I’ll go shopping with you.

7 Complete the sentences so they are true for you.

1 If I had the chance to see any animal in the wild, I would choose to see a snow leopard in the mountains because it is very rare and beautiful. 2 When I read about animals in danger, I feel sad and want to learn more about ways people can help them. 3 If I saw an injured animal on the road, I would call a local animal rescue centre or ask adults for help immediately.

VOCABULARY

1 Read the examples and match the phrases to the meanings.

1 b (not less than) 2 a (finally) 3 f (in the beginning) 4 e (as good as it can be) 5 d (in danger) 6 g (immediately) 7 c (now)

2 Complete the sentences with the phrases in the box.

1 The amazing filming of wildlife in the Pantanal Wetlands is documentary-making at its best. 2 When the horse suddenly stopped, I knew at once that something was wrong. 3 It’s very dry here at present, but rain is forecast for next week. 4 At first I didn’t recognise her because she looked so different. 5 At least 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. 6 Zoos often breed animals that are at risk in the wild. 7 At long last, the wild giant panda population is starting to grow.

3 Work in pairs. Turn to page 135.

Student A: Look at the situations and make sentences using phrases with at. Situation 1: You expected a phone call from a friend two hours ago. Now he calls. — “You called at long last! I’ve been waiting for hours.”

Situation 2: You want to adopt a pet from an animal shelter. — “There are at least twenty dogs here needing a new home.”

Situation 3: A friend starts a new hobby and finds it difficult on day one. — “At first, it might seem hard, but you will definitely get better with practice.”

Student B: Respond and give your own sentences. Situation 4: A wildfire is approaching a nature reserve. — “Many rare species of birds are at risk because of the fire.”

Situation 5: Looking at a photo of a national park in spring. — “This photo shows the Carpathian forest at its best.”

Situation 6: You suddenly notice water leaking in the room. — “We need to fix this pipe at once before the floor gets damaged.”

LISTENING

1 You will hear a video call between two teenagers, Lola and Pete. What do they have to do for their homework?

They have to prepare a presentation about endangered animals and choose three photos to show during their talk.

2 Listen again and answer the questions.

1 The blue whale is endangered because humans are destroying its natural habitat by fishing, and its population is decreasing quickly. 2 Lola thinks they should concentrate on animals that have something in common rather than choosing different land animals like tigers. 3 Marine animals are creatures that live in water for most of their lives. Pete thinks they should talk about them because people usually focus on land animals like tigers and pandas, so people need to realize that sea animals are in danger too. 4 At the beginning of their presentation, they decide to define what the word “endangered” actually means. 5 They decide to include a blue whale, a sea turtle, and a seal.

SPEAKING

1 Read the advice for taking part in discussions. Choose the five pieces of advice which are true. Can you add more advice?

The five true pieces of advice are:

• 1 Don’t be afraid to ask what something means.
• 3 Try to develop your ideas.
• 4 Make sure you give the other person enough opportunities to join in.
• 5 Apologise if you interrupt someone, and allow them time to speak.
• 6 Make links to what you or the other person has said.

Additional advice:

• Listen actively and show interest by nodding or using short response phrases.
• Be polite and respectful when you disagree with your partner’s point of view.

2 Read the Prepare to speak box. Listen to the conversation again to hear some of the phrases in the box. Match the phrases in the box to the functions below. Some phrases match the same function.

1 e (asking someone to say something again if you didn’t hear it) 2 a (asking for further explanation if you don’t understand something) 3 d (referring back to an earlier topic) 4 b (encouraging someone to continue after you have interrupted them) 5 a (asking for further explanation if you don’t understand something) 6 d (referring back to an earlier topic) 7 c (changing the topic)

3 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions, using phrases from the Prepare to speak box.

• Do you learn about endangered species at school? Which? Yes, we often learn about them in our biology lessons. We mainly study animals from the Red Book of Ukraine, such as the European bison, the lynx, and the brown bear.

• Have you ever seen an endangered animal species? Which? Yes, I have seen a European bison in a nature reserve. Like I said before, it is a strictly protected animal in our country, and seeing it up close was an amazing experience.

• Would you like to work with animals? Why? / Why not? I would really like to work with animals in the future because I want to help endangered species survive. Being a wildlife veterinarian or working at a rehabilitation centre would be a very rewarding career.

• Have you ever visited a wildlife park? What did you see? Yes, I visited a wildlife park last summer. I saw bears, wolves, and various birds of prey that were being cared for in large, natural enclosures. On a completely different subject, the park also had a wonderful botanical garden.

• How could you help to protect local wildlife species? We can protect local wildlife by keeping natural areas clean and not leaving rubbish in forests. Do you mean individual actions at home too? If so, we can also plant bee-friendly flowers and build bird feeders in winter.

CULTURE

1 Match the photos to the names of the animals. Which two aren’t real?

A – kangaroo B – kiwi C – dragon D – lion E – unicorn F – horse G – beaver H – eagle I – tuatara J – emu

The dragon and the unicorn are mythical creatures, so they aren’t real animals.

2 Read the article. Find the names of the animals from Exercise 1. In which countries are they important?

• The eagle and the bison are important national symbols in the USA.
• The beaver and the horse (Canadian horse) are important in Canada.
• The lion represents England, the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland, and the dragon represents Wales in the United Kingdom.
• The kangaroo and the emu are important national symbols in Australia.
• The kiwi and the tuatara are unique animals that are important in New Zealand.